The Department of Justice is investigating whether Wall Street giants JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup helped facilitate massive financial transactions for Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. According to a Bloomberg report citing anonymous officials, the federal probe is part of a wider effort to trace a complex web of global money laundering and crack down on foreign corruption.

Investigation Details

Investigators are currently tracking large movements of money between entities managed by Khamenei. They want to determine if US banks aided these transfers, allowing the Iranian leader to quietly build a substantial investment portfolio with deep ties to American financial institutions.

The scrutiny extends far beyond New York. European and Middle Eastern banks are also under the microscope, alongside major international brands like Hilton Worldwide Holdings. Officials say Khamenei’s network—which spans from Persian Gulf shipping operations to high-end British real estate—has funneled cash through banking systems in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and the United Arab Emirates.

Before rising to his current position, Khamenei reportedly relied on financier Ali Ansari to move funds abroad. Using a network of shell companies, Ansari allegedly acquired luxury real estate and five-star hotels across Europe, including properties managed by Hilton.

Geopolitical Implications

The broader geopolitical stakes remain high. Khamenei assumed power in June following the death of his father in US-Israeli airstrikes. The younger leader was reportedly severely wounded in those same attacks and has not made a public appearance since taking office.

Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.